Torsion bar elevating mechanism for self-leveling dispensers

ABSTRACT

Torsion bar mechanism for resiliently elevating the carrier of a self-leveling dispenser is described. A horizontal carriage arranged for vertical movement with respect to a support structure, in cantilever relation with respect thereto, has secured thereto one end each of a pair of horizontally-extending, spaced, paralled, torsion bars, the outer ends of which have affixed thereto mutually inwardly-extending lever arms journaled to the outer ends of which are guide wheels constrained to move along respective elongated guide channel members angularly disposed with respect to the vertical direction of carrier movement so as to substantially uniformly increase torsional stress in the torsion bars as the carrier is depressed. Manually operable crank means is provided for simultaneously varying the angles of inclination of the guide channels for wide-range adjustment of the resilient reactive force per linear unit downward movement of the carrier.

United States Patent 1 House [111 3,739,879 June 19, 1973 1 TORSION BAR ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR SELF-LEVELING DISPENSERS [75] Inventor: 'Bruce F. House, Coral Gables,

Fla.

[73] Assignee: Shelley Manufacturing Company Miami, Fla.

[22] Filed: Nov. 12, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 198,227

[52] US. Cl 187/24, 220/93, 312/71 [51] Int. Cl. B66b 11/04 [58] Field of Search 312/71; 220/93;

187/9, 24; 254/2 C, 2 R, 7 C, 7 R, 7 B; 267/57, 154; 280/4312, 47.28, 29

Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunl'.

Assistant Examiner-Merle F. Maffei Attorney-Ernest H. Schmidt [57] ABSTRACT Torsion bar mechanism for resiliently elevating the carrier of a self-leveling dispenser is described. A horizontal carriage arranged for vertical'movement with respect to a support structure, in cantilever relation with respect thereto, has secured thereto one end each of a pair of horizontally-extending, spaced, paralled, torsion bars, the outer ends of which have affixed thereto mutually inwardly-extending lever arms journaled to the outer ends of which are guide wheels constrained to move along respective elongated guide channel members angularly disposed with respect to the vertical direction of carrier movement so as to substantially uniformly increase torsional stress in the torsion bars as the carrier is depressed. Manually operable crank means is provided for simultaneously varying the angles of inclination of the guide channels for wide-range ad justment of the resilient reactive force per linear unit downward movement of the carrier.

9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures TORSION BAR ELEVATING MECHANISM FOR SELF-LEVELING DISPENSERS This invention relates to self leveling dispensers and is directed particularly to an improved, widely adjustable torsion bar elevating mechanism for such dispensers. 1

Various kinds of self leveling dispensers for dispensing stacked articles one at a time from the top of the stack and operative to raise the top of the stack for dispensing at a substantially constant level have heretofore been devised. Such dispensers are widely used in restaurants, cafeterias, and the like for conveniently housing and dispensing trays, plates, cups and saucers, for example. The elevating mechanisms for the dispensers ordinarily consist of one or more helical compression or extension springs arranged to resiliently support a vertically moveable rack or carrier adapted to support the stacked articles to be dispensed. These helical compression or extension spring actuated elevating mechanisms have been found to be deficient in several respects, principally in that adjustability of the elevating mechanism to the load weight of the stacked articles to be dispensed is limited to a narrow range. In

order to adjust the elevating mechanism to accommodate substantially increased or decreased load weights with respect to the nominal load weight for which the dispenser was designed, it has been necessary either to substitute elevating springs of either lighter of heavier construction, or selectively add or substract one or more of a plurality of helical springs arranged for operation in parallel in the design of the elevating mechanism.

It is,,accordingly, the principal object of this invention to provide a novel and improved elevating mechanism for self-leveling dispensers that obviates the above-described deficiencies of such dispensers heretofore devised.

It is a more particular object to provide a torsion bar controlled elevating mechanism for self-leveling dispensers including mechanism for imposing torsional stress upon a torsion bar in direct porportion to the distance by which the dispenser carriage is depressed upon loading with the articles to be dispensed.

It is another object of the invention to provide a torsion bar controlled elevating mechanism of the character described wherein the torsional stress is applied to the free end of the torsion bar by means of a lever arm affixed to the free end and having roller means at its outer end guidingly constrained in an elongated guide I member arranged at an angle with respect to the direction of movement of the dispensing carriage.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an elevating mechanism of the above nature utilizing a pair of torsion bars carried by the dispenser carriage in symmetrically-spaced, balanced relation with respect thereto, and a pair of opposedly arranged guide members co-operative, one each, with associated torsion bar lever arms, and further including mechanism for continuously adjusting the angles of inclination of the guide members for varying the rate of application of stress to the torsion bars per unit movement of the elevating carriage.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a torsion bar actuated elevating mechanism of the above nature, which will be widely adjustable as to dispensing load capability and therefore readily adaptable to use in dispensing articles of variousdensity or weight per unit volume. As such it has wide applicability to use in factories for dispensing all kinds ofheavy or lightweight machine parts, for example. 1

Yet another object is to provide: anelevating mechanism of the character above described which will be simple in construction, economical to manufacture, compact, durable in operation, and readily adjustable for accommodating dispensing loads of widely varying density.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a self leveling dis penser embodying the invention;

a FIG; 2 is a perspective view of the self leveling dispenser shown in FIG. 1, as seen from the opposite side and partially loaded with trays of cups to be dispensed;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the torsion bar elevating mechanism for the dispenser, shown seperately; and

FIG. 4 is a front view of the self leveling dispenser, on an enlarged scale and with portions of the elevating carrier and enclosing cabinet structure broken away to illustrate details of the torsion bar control mechanism.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, reference numeral 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2 designates a portable, self leveling dispenser embodying the invention, the same comprising a supporting structure 11 having a base 12 andan upright elevating mechanism housing 13 at one end of said base. The housing 13, as is hereinafter described, contains the self leveling elevating mechanism for a cantilever elevator rack carrier 14 for vertical movement with respect to the base 12. The base 12 is supported by swivel casters 15 in each corner for rolling portability of the dispenser.

The torsion bar elevating mechanism embodying the invention, designated by reference numberal 16 and shown separately in FIG. 3,comprises a pair ofspaced, parallel, cantilever support bars 17, 18 affixed to and extendingvertically upwardly of the base 12 at each side thereof. Support bars 17, 18 are rectangular in shape and have secured along facing opposed surface portions thereof rack members 19 and 20, respectively. The rack members 19 and 20 may be of lengths of link chain spot welded along the support bars 17, 18.

The elevator rack carrier 14 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) comprises a rectangular carrier frame 21, which may be fabricated of welded-together front and back angle iron members 22, 23 respectively, and spaced, parallel, side angle'iron members 24, 25.

Means is provided for supporting the carrier frame 21 in forwardly-extending, cantilever disposition with respect to the cantilever support bars 17, 18. To this end, the carrier frame 21 has affixed, as by welding, to

' the rear ends of the side angle iron members 24, 25

34 journalled at each end of the carrier rod 30 are in peripheral abutment with .the back surface portions of respective cantilever support bars 17, 18.

As means for resiliently supporting the carrier frame 21, torsion bars 35, 36 are arranged along the insides of the side angle iron members '24, 25 of said carrier frame. The torsion bars 35, 36 are preferably square in cross-sectional shape, and are secured at their outer ends in complimental squ'are openings in support blocks 37, 38 welded or otherwise securely affixed against the inside wall of front angle iron member 22 at each end thereof. The inner ends of the torsion bars 35, 36 are journalled in apair of spaced bearing block members 39, 40 at each side of the carrier frame 21 and fixed against respective inside wall portions of the side angle iron members 24, 25, respectively, near the inner ends thereof. Affixed to each of the torsion bars 35, 36 between their respective bearing block pairs 39, 40 are respective inwardly-extending lever arms 41 42. As means for securely attaching the inner ends of the lever arms 41, 42 to their respective torsion bars 35, 36, said inner ends are preferably formed with complemental square openings (not illustrated) through which said torsion bars extend. The outer ends of the lever arms 41, 42 are bifurcated and have journalled thereinbetween guide wheels, 43, 44 respectively. The guide wheels, 43, 44 are constrained to move along the inner surfaces of a pair of elongated guide channel members 45, 46 symmetrically arranged between the cantilever support bars 17, 18. As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide channel members 45, 46 are hinged as by a pair of coaxial pivot pins 47, (only one shown in FIGS. 3 and 4), to a fixed support collar 48 journalling a vertically-extending crank rod 49. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the lower end of the crank rod 49 is journalled in a thrust bearing block 50 welded or otherwise secured upon the base 12. The upper end of the support collar 48 is welded or otherwise secured to a transversly-extending channel member 51 the outer ends of which are welded or otherwise securely fixed with respect to the upper ends of the cantilver support bars 17 and 18.

Means is provided for simultaneously adjusting the mutually outward angle of inclination of the guide channel members 45, 46 with respect to the vertical axis defined by the crank rod 49. To this end, a lower end portion of the crank rod 49 is threaded, as indicated in 52, to threadingly receive a carrier nut 53. The carrier nut 53 is formed with diametrically opposed lugs 54, 55, pivotally journalled to which are one end each of link rods 56, 57. The outer ends of the link rods 56, 57 are pivotally journalled with respect to lugs 58, 59 fixed against lower inside end portions of respective guide channel members 45, 46.

The elevating mechanism housing 13 enclosing the above-described torsion bar mechanism 16 comprises a-housing cover member 60 through which the crank rod 49 extends. The outwardly-projecting end of the crank rod49 is formed into a crank handle 61 for turning said crank rod for adjustment of the elevating mechanism in the manner hereinafter described.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cantilever elevator rack carrier 14 projects from the front of theelevator mechanism housing 13, and supports, affixed thereupon, in front of said housing, a rectangular rack 62. A lower carrier rod 63 journalled between inner end portions of the side angle irons 24, 25 and extending therewheel 64, 65 the outer peripheries'of which ride along forwardly facing side wall portions of the housing structure 13. It will be understood that the just-mentioned bearing wheels 64, 65 beneath the carrier frame 21 and riding along front face portions of the housing structure 13 and the above-described bearing wheels 33, 34 carried by the upper ends of the carrier arms 26, 27 and As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a front cover plate through carries, at its outer ends, cylindrical bearing member 66 is affixed to the housing 13 and extends through the carrier frame 21 and behind the rectangular rack 62 to substantially fully enclose the torsion bar elevating mechanism 16.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 it is to be noted that the torsion bars 35 and 36 will normally be torsionally stressed, torsion bar 35 in the anti-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 of the drawings, and torsion bar 36 in the clockwise direction, so that the guide wheels 43, 44 will bear resiliently downwardly upon their respective guide channel members 45, 46. V

In operation, as downward pressure is applied upon the carrier frame 21, its inner end will ride along the support bars 17, 18, whereupon, because of the angular disposition of the guide channel members 45, 46, the opposing lever arms 41, 42 will be forcedrelatively outwardly against the equal torsional reactive forces-of the torsion bars 35, 36. The farther the carrier frame 21 is depressed, the greater will be the reactive force tending to resiliently urge the carrier in its uppermost position. It is further to be, noted that the greater the angle of deviation from the vertical of the guide channel members 45, 46, the greater will be the reactive force per unit downward movement of the carrier frame 21 tending to urge said carrier member in the upper or selfleveling direction. With referance to FIG. 4 it will be noted that turning of the crank rod 49 by means of the crank handle 61 serves to move the carrier nut 53 along the threaded portion 52 of the crank rod 49 and thereby, through link rods 56, 57, move the guide channel members through various angles in inclination, such, for example, as between the full-line illustrated positions thereof andthe relatively outward brokenline representations thereof as seen in FIG. 4. Such outward movement of the channel members 45, 46 not only serves to increase the torsional stress upon the torsion bars 35, 36 for any given position of the carrier frame 23, but also serves to increase reactive force per unit downward movement of the carrier frame 21. In this connection it is to be noted that the stress characteristics of the torsion bars 35, 36 are such that only a small amount of increased torsional stress results in a substantial increase in reactive force, so that widerange adjustability of the self leveling mechanism to accommodate various loads and dispensing level heights required of the dispenser in use can be readily achieved with just a few turns of crank handle 61.

While I have illustrated and described herein only one form in which my invention can conveniently be embodied in practice, it is to be understood that this form is given way of example only and not in a limiting sense. The invention, in brief, comprises all the embodiments and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

What I claim is new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, a carriage, mechanism constraining said carriage to vertical movement with respect to said supporting structure, and torsion bar mechanism interacting between said carriage and said supporting structure for yieldingly urging said carriage in the upward direction, said carriage comprising a horizontally-disposed elevator rack and said guide mechanism comprising means for sup porting said elevator rack, along one side thereof, in relative cantilever disposition with respect to said supporting structure, said torsion bar mechanism comprisangles of inclination of said guide channel members to ing a torsion bar fixed at one end with respect to the other side of said elevator rack and directed horizontally inwardly with respect to said supporting structure, means constraining said torsion bar to torsional movement about its longitudinal axis, a lever arm affixed to and extending radially outwardly of an outer end portion of said torsion bar, an elongated guide channel member fixed with respect to said supporting structure, said guide channel member being angularly disposed with respect to the vertical direction of carriage movement and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the torsional axis of said torsion bar, the outer end of said lever arm being guidingly constrained against said guide channel member, the angular direction of said guide channel member being such as to increasingly torsionally stress said torsion bar upon vertical depression of said carrier.

2. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 1, including a supporting base, said supporting structure being mounted upon said supporting base along one side thereof, said carriage being arranged in spaced parallel disposition above said sup porting base, and caster mechanism supporting said supporting base for rolling portability of the dispenser.

3. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, a carriage, mechansim constraining said carriage to vertical movement with respect to said supporting structure, and torsion bar mechanism interacting between said carriage and said supporting structure for yieldingly urging said carriage in the upward direction, said carriage comprising a horizontally-disposed elevator rack and said guide mechanism comprising means for supporting said elevator rack, along one side thereof, in relative cantilever disposition with respect to said supporting structure, said torsion bar mechanism comprising a pair of spaced parallel torsion bars, each fixed at one end with respect to the other side of said elevator rack and directed horizontally inwardly with respect to said supporting structure, means constraining said torsion bars to torsional movement about their longitudinal axes, a pair of lever anns affixed one each to and extending radially outwardly of outer end portions of said torsion bars, a pair of elongated guide channel members fixed with respect to said supporting structure, said guide channel members being angularly disposed with respect to the vertical direction of carriage movement and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the torsional axes of said torsion bars, the outer ends of vary the reactive force imposed by said torsion bars per unit vertical depression distance of said carrier.

5. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 4, including mechanism for maintaining said elevator rack in spaced parallel relation with respect to a horizontal supporting structure.

6. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein said guide channel members define equal acute angles divergent from their upper ends to their lower ends with respect to a central vertical axis intermediate said outer end portions of said torsion bars, and wherein said lever arms extend in the mutually inward direction and are stressed upwardly with respect to their associated torsion bars.

7. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for adjusting the angles of inclination of said guide channel members comprises an elongated crank arm extending along said central vertical axis, journalling means constraining said crank rod to rotational movement with respect to said supporting structure, the lower end portion of said crank rod being threaded, a carrier nut threadingly received on said threaded end portion, a pair of link members pivotally connecting, one each, lower end portions of said guide channel members with respect to said carrier nut, and manually controllable means for turning said crank rod for adjustably positioning said carriage nut alongsaid crank rod for simultaneously varying the angles of inclination of said guide channel members.

8. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 7, including a supporting base, said supporting structure being mounted upon said base along one side thereof, said carriage being arranged in spaced parallel disposition above said supporting base, and caster mechanism supporting said supporting base for rolling portability of said dispenser.

9. A torsion bar actuated self-leveling dispenser comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, a car riage, mechanism constraining said carriage to vertical movement with respect to said supporting structure, and torsion bar mechanism interacting between said carriage and said supporting structure for yieldingly urging said carriage in the upward direction, said torsion bar mechanism comprising a torsion bar affixed at one end with respect to said carriage and extending in a horizontal direction, means constraining said torsion bar to torsional movement about its longitudinal axis, a lever arm affixed to and extending radially outwardly of an outer end portion of said torsion bar, and an elongated guide member affixed with respect to said supporting structure, said guide member being angularly disposed with respect to the vertical direction of carriage movement and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the torsional axis of said torsion bar, the outer end of said lever arm being guidingly constrained against said guide member, the angular direction of said guide member being such as to increasingly torsionally stress said torsion bar upon vertical depression of said carrier. 

1. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, a carriage, mechanism constraining said carriage to vertical movement with respect to said supporting structure, and torsIon bar mechanism interacting between said carriage and said supporting structure for yieldingly urging said carriage in the upward direction, said carriage comprising a horizontally-disposed elevator rack and said guide mechanism comprising means for supporting said elevator rack, along one side thereof, in relative cantilever disposition with respect to said supporting structure, said torsion bar mechanism comprising a torsion bar fixed at one end with respect to the other side of said elevator rack and directed horizontally inwardly with respect to said supporting structure, means constraining said torsion bar to torsional movement about its longitudinal axis, a lever arm affixed to and extending radially outwardly of an outer end portion of said torsion bar, an elongated guide channel member fixed with respect to said supporting structure, said guide channel member being angularly disposed with respect to the vertical direction of carriage movement and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the torsional axis of said torsion bar, the outer end of said lever arm being guidingly constrained against said guide channel member, the angular direction of said guide channel member being such as to increasingly torsionally stress said torsion bar upon vertical depression of said carrier.
 2. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 1, including a supporting base, said supporting structure being mounted upon said supporting base along one side thereof, said carriage being arranged in spaced parallel disposition above said supporting base, and caster mechanism supporting said supporting base for rolling portability of the dispenser.
 3. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, a carriage, mechansim constraining said carriage to vertical movement with respect to said supporting structure, and torsion bar mechanism interacting between said carriage and said supporting structure for yieldingly urging said carriage in the upward direction, said carriage comprising a horizontally-disposed elevator rack and said guide mechanism comprising means for supporting said elevator rack, along one side thereof, in relative cantilever disposition with respect to said supporting structure, said torsion bar mechanism comprising a pair of spaced parallel torsion bars, each fixed at one end with respect to the other side of said elevator rack and directed horizontally inwardly with respect to said supporting structure, means constraining said torsion bars to torsional movement about their longitudinal axes, a pair of lever arms affixed one each to and extending radially outwardly of outer end portions of said torsion bars, a pair of elongated guide channel members fixed with respect to said supporting structure, said guide channel members being angularly disposed with respect to the vertical direction of carriage movement and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the torsional axes of said torsion bars, the outer ends of said lever arms being guidingly constrained against one each of said guide channel members, the angular direction of each of guide channel members being such as to increasingly torsionally stress their respective torsion bars upon vertical depression of said carrier.
 4. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 3, including means for adjusting the angles of inclination of said guide channel members to vary the reactive force imposed by said torsion bars per unit vertical depression distance of said carrier.
 5. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 4, including mechanism for maintaining said elevator rack in spaced parallel relation with respect to a horizontal supporting structure.
 6. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 5, wherein said guide channel members define equal acute angles divergent from their upper ends to their lower ends with respect to a central vertical axis intermediate said oUter end portions of said torsion bars, and wherein said lever arms extend in the mutually inward direction and are stressed upwardly with respect to their associated torsion bars.
 7. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 6, wherein said means for adjusting the angles of inclination of said guide channel members comprises an elongated crank arm extending along said central vertical axis, journalling means constraining said crank rod to rotational movement with respect to said supporting structure, the lower end portion of said crank rod being threaded, a carrier nut threadingly received on said threaded end portion, a pair of link members pivotally connecting, one each, lower end portions of said guide channel members with respect to said carrier nut, and manually controllable means for turning said crank rod for adjustably positioning said carriage nut along said crank rod for simultaneously varying the angles of inclination of said guide channel members.
 8. A torsion bar actuated self leveling dispenser as defined in claim 7, including a supporting base, said supporting structure being mounted upon said base along one side thereof, said carriage being arranged in spaced parallel disposition above said supporting base, and caster mechanism supporting said supporting base for rolling portability of said dispenser.
 9. A torsion bar actuated self-leveling dispenser comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, a carriage, mechanism constraining said carriage to vertical movement with respect to said supporting structure, and torsion bar mechanism interacting between said carriage and said supporting structure for yieldingly urging said carriage in the upward direction, said torsion bar mechanism comprising a torsion bar affixed at one end with respect to said carriage and extending in a horizontal direction, means constraining said torsion bar to torsional movement about its longitudinal axis, a lever arm affixed to and extending radially outwardly of an outer end portion of said torsion bar, and an elongated guide member affixed with respect to said supporting structure, said guide member being angularly disposed with respect to the vertical direction of carriage movement and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the torsional axis of said torsion bar, the outer end of said lever arm being guidingly constrained against said guide member, the angular direction of said guide member being such as to increasingly torsionally stress said torsion bar upon vertical depression of said carrier. 